Westward Expansion - The Educational Forum Of Amanda :] The Educational Forum Of Amanda :] Here is a game based on the Westward Expansion General Summary After the War of 1812 much of America's attention turned to exploration and settlement of its territory to the West, which had been greatly enlarged by the Louisiana Purchase. Families of pioneers swept westward and founded new communities throughout what is now the Midwest, and between 1816 and 1821, six new states were admitted to the Union. The land boom was fed by encouragement from the federal government and the actions of land speculators, who bought up large tracts of land in order to sell it in parcels to farmers at exorbitant prices. These farmers did not mind high prices and high interest on loans due to the growing success of American agricultural products. Most western farmers became cash croppers who sometimes neglected subsistence farming in order to focus on marketable commodities. Soon the farmers' dependence on distant markets caught up with them, however, as the state bank system that had sprung up to support speculation collapsed, dragging agricultural prices and land values down with it. Many western settlers suffered greatly during the Panic of 1819, but most survived and continued the conquest of the West.

A major aspect of the conquest of the West was the removal of the Indians who dwelled there. Under the leadership of President Andrew Jackson, the Indians who remained East of the Mississippi were cruelly and violently driven from their homes and concentrated in reservations in what is now Oklahoma. The US Army crushed any resistance to removal. With the West cleared of this obstacle, westerners focused on developing new methods of transporting their goods to market. The canal and railroad systems, which grew up in the North, facilitated a much larger volume of trade and manufacturing while reducing costs a great deal. Great cities sprang up throughout the North and Northwest, bolstered by the improvement in transportation. After the Midwest had been substantially developed, the national focus turned toward the far west. The territory of Texas, controlled by the Spanish, was settled by Americans, who eventually undertook the Texas Rebellion in efforts to win independence. When the United States admitted Texas to the Union in 1845, the Mexican government was outraged, and from 1846 to 1848, the two nation's squared off in the Mexican War . With a resounding victory, the United States gained control of Texas, New Mexico, and California.

The Oregon territory was annexed in 1846 as well, and the US controlled the land all the way to the Pacific Ocean. As the population of the West soared and the prospects of statehood for western territories appeared clearer and clearer, the nation battled over the future of slavery in the West. This battle was one reason for the Civil War , which slowed the acceleration of expansion. However, the last three decades of the nineteenth century saw the return of accelerating expansion due to the successful struggle to contain the Plains Indians in reservations, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. By the early twentieth century, the organization of the West was completed, and the United States consisted of all 48 contiguous states. WESTWARD EXPANSION. The original territory of the United States as acknowledged by the treaty with Great Britain, in 1783, consisted of the following thirteen States : New Hampshire , Massachusetts Bay , Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Delaware , Maryland , Virginia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Georgia . The boundaries of many of these States, as constituted by their charters, extended to the Pacific Ocean; but in practice they ceased at the Mississippi.

Beyond that river the territory belonged, by discovery and settlement, to the King of Spain. All the territory west of the present boundaries of the States was ceded by them to the United States in the order named: Virginia, 1784; Massachusetts, 1785; Connecticut, 1786 and 1800; South Carolina, 1787; North Carolina, 1790; Georgia, 1802. This ceded territory comprised part of Minnesota, all of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio (see NORTHWEST TERRITORY ), Tennessee, and a great part of Alabama and Mississippi. Vermont was admitted as a separate State in 1791; Kentucky, then a part of Virginia, in 1792; and Maine, till that time claimed by Massachusetts, in 1820. Louisiana Purchase Spain's restriction of the navigation of the Mississippi , the great natural commercial artery of the American continent, was a great annoyance to the settlers on the western slopes of the Alleghanies. It was not until Oct.

17, 1795, and after many attempts, that Thomas Pinckney succeeded in negotiating a treaty of friendship, boundaries, and navigation. On Oct. 1, 1800, by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, Spain retroceded to France the vast province of Louisiana. Bonaparte's design to revive, in New Orleans , the former colonial glories of the French monarchy more and more menaced the United States; navigation was again closed; and in Congress, James Ross, Senator from Pennsylvania, introduced resolutions authorizing the President to call out 50,000 militia and to take possession of New Orleans. Instead of this, Congress appropriated $2,000,000 for the purchase of the city, and sent James Monroe, as minister extraordinary, to cooperate with Livingston, minister to France, in the proposed purchase. April 11, 1803, Livingston, who had already begun negotiations for the purchase of New Orleans, was suddenly invited by Napoleon to make an offer for the whole of Louisiana. On the following day Monroe arrived in Paris, and the two ministers decided to offer $10,000,000.

The price was finally fixed at $15,000,000, one-fourth of it to consist in the assumption by the United States of $3,750,000 worth of claims of American citizens against France. The treaty was in three conventions -to secure the cession, to ascertain the price, to stipulate for the assumption of the claims —all signed the same day, April 30, 1803, by Livingston and Monroe on one part, and Barbe-Marbois on the other. This vast purchase added 1,171,931 square miles to the territory of the United States, including Alabama and Mississippi south of the parallel of 31°; all of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Indian Territory , Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana; Minnesota, west of the Mississippi; Colorado and Wyoming, east of the Rocky Mountains; and Kansas, with the exception of the southwestern corner. The western boundary was not finally settled until after the purchase of Florida, in 1819.

Florida Purchase The boundary between Louisiana and Florida had been long in dispute, Spain claiming all that territory south of the parallel of 31° and east of the Mississippi River, and the United States fixing it at the Perdido River, the present boundary between Florida and Alabama. In 1810, the people of west Florida met at Baton Rouge and declared themselves independent, and Governor Claiborne, of the Territory of Orleans, was sent by the President to take possession; in 1812 the Pearl River was made the eastern boundary of Louisiana, and the remainder of west Florida was annexed to Mississippi Territory ; in 1813 the fort and city of Mobile were taken by General Wilkinson. During this period a determination of gaining east Florida had been growing rapidly, and Congress, by acts passed in secret, in January and March, 1811, had authorized the President to take temporary possession. In 1818, during the Seminole War , being annoyed by Spanish assistance given to the Indians, Jackson raided east Florida, captured St. Marks and Pensacola, and hanged Arbuthnot and Ambrister, two British subjects who had given aid and comfort to the Indians.

This demonstrated so completely that Florida was at the mercy of the United States that the Spanish minister at Washington signed a treaty, on Feb. 22, 1819, by which Spain ceded Florida, in return for the payment of claims of American citizens against Spain, amounting to $5,000,000. The ratification by Spain was not secured till 1821, Spain attempting to obtain the refusal of the United States to recognize the independence of the revolted Spanish-American colonies. The territory purchased comprised 59,268 square miles.

Oregon The treaty with Spain in 1821 settled the western boundary of the Louisiana purchase as follows : " Beginning at the mouth of the Sabine, in the Gulf of Mexico; up the west bank of the Sabine to the thirty-second degree of north latitude; thence north to the Red River; along the south bank of the Red River to the one-hundredth degree of longitude east from Greenwich; thence north to the Arkansas; thence along the south bank of the Arkansas to its source ; thence south or north, as the case may be, to the forty-second degree north latitude, and along that parallel to the Pacific Ocean." This put out of dispute the territory comprising the present States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the western part of Wyoming, claimed by the United States on the grounds of discovery (1792), exploration (1805), and settlement (1811). The boundary between the States of Washington and Idaho, on one side, and Canada, on the other, was finally determined in 1848.

Republic of Texas In 1833, Texas, then a part of the Mexican Republic, refused to remain a part of Coahuila, and on April 1 formed a Mexican State constitution of its own. The greater part of its population had emigrated from the southwestern part of the United States. On the abolishment of the State constitutions, in 1835, and the appointment of Santa Anna as dictator, Texas declared itself independent of Mexico, March 2, 1836. After a brief war, distinguished by two brutal massacres on the part of the Mexicans at Goliad and the ALAMO , Sam Houston , the Texan commander, with 700 men, met Santa Anna , the Mexican President, with 5,000 men, at San Jacinto , and totally defeated him. Santa Anna, to gain his liberty, signed a treaty recognizing the independence of the Republic of Texas . This treaty was never ratified by Mexico ; but the United States, and afterwards England, France, and Belgium, recognizing the new republic, its independence was practically secured.

From this time the annexation of Texas to the United States became a great political issue, both by the Southern politicians, who were anxious to add more slave territory to the United States, and by Texas herself, whose finances had fallen into fearful disorder through careless and extravagant expenditures. This was not made possible until the election of James Polk to the Presidency, when the campaign cry of the South was, " Texas or Disunion." The first resolutions were introduced into Congress in the House, Jan. 25, 1845; by joint resolution, in the House, Dec. 16; and in the Senate, Dec. 22. Texas was admitted as a State without the formality of a treaty. It added 376,133 square miles to the territory of the United States. Mexico and California This territory, comprising 545,783 square miles, and including the present States of California, Nevada, and Utah, and a large part of Arizona and New Mexico, and part of Colorado, came to the United States as a result of the MEXICAN WAR , through conquest and purchase. The treaty, known as the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo , was signed Feb.

2, 1848, and was ratified by the Senate March 10, the United States paying $15,000,000 in addition to assuming the payment of claims of American citizens against Mexico amounting to $3,250,000. Gadsden Purchase In 1853 the United States bought from Mexico a strip of land, now forming that part of Arizona and New Mexico lying south of the Gila River and extending from the Rio Grande, near El Paso, on the east, to the Colorado River on the west. GEN. JAMES GADSDEN was at that time minister to Mexico and negotiated the transfer, and this territory, 45,535 square miles in ex-tent, has always borne his name. Alaska This valuable fur and mineral producing country was first claimed by Russia by right of discovery. By treaty of March 30, 1867, ratified by the Senate in special session, June 20, 1867, Russia ceded the whole of the territory, 557,390 square miles in extent, to the United States for $7,200,000.

See ALASKA . Hawaii In January, 1896, a joint resolution was introduced into the Lower House of the United States Congress providing for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, and was referred to the committee on foreign affairs. On June 16, 1897, a treaty was signed in Washington by representatives of both governments and transmitted to the Senate. The committee on foreign relations reported favorably upon it, but the Senate adjourned without action. In Hawaii, the treaty was ratified by both Houses of the Congress by unanimous vote, Sept. 10. Many attempts were made in later sessions of Congress, but it was not till June 6, 1898, when the United States Senate adopted a direct annexation resolution, that anything was accomplished towards the acquisition of the islands. The President signed the resolution on the following day, and ordered the cruiser Philadelphia to proceed to Honolulu , and raise the American flag. Commissioners were appointed to prepare a plan for the future government of the islands, and formal possession was taken on Aug. 12, 1898. See BLOUNT, JAMES H.; HAWAII.

Wake Island This low-lying atoll in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, half-way between the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines, was taken possession of, in the name of the United States, by a landing-party under the command of Commander Edward D. Taussig, of the U. S. S. Bennington, Jan. 17, 1899. Wake Island is said to have been by rights already American territory, since, in 1851, Admiral Wilkes surveyed the place and asserted title. As a cable station, in view of the laying of a Pacific cable, it will be invaluable. See WAKE ISLAND. Porto Rico This large and fertile island, together with its outlying smaller islands, came into the possession of the United States at the close of the Spanish-American War, by the ratification of the treaty of peace (1899). At the time of the suspension of hostilities General Miles was conducting a campaign in the island. He had met with very little resistance, and had been treated by the natives on every hand more as a liberator than a conqueror. The island has valuable natural resources and possesses a delightful climate. See PORTO RICO Philippine Islands.

After his great victory in Manila Bay, May 1, 1898, Dewey refrained from attacking the city until he could receive co-operation from the land forces. General Merritt, as first military governor of the Philippines, was dispatched immediately with a large military force, which was landed during the months of June and July. The first land engagement took place on Aug. 9, near Malate, and the city was stormed and captured on Aug. 13, one day after the signing of the protocol, a fact of which the American generals were in ignorance. The final treaty of peace (1899) ceded the en-tire group of islands to the United States upon the consideration of a payment of $20,000,000. See PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Guam The principal island of the Ladrone group, in the Pacific Ocean, was seized by the United States naval authorities on June 21, 1898, and was ceded by Spain to the United States by the treaty of peace following the Spanish-American War. Formal American possession was taken Feb. 1, 1899. On Oct.

4, 1900, by order of the Navy Department, Guam was made a separate naval and government station. The harbor of San Luis d'Apra is said to be one of the finest in the world. See AGANA; GUAM. Samoa The independence and neutrality of the Samoan Islands were guaranteed in 1890 by tripartite agreement between Great Britain, Germany, and the United States. The political situation remained very peaceable until 1899, when some of the followers of Mataafa, the former king, then in exile, instigated a revolution. This was quickly suppressed by the interference of the above powers, who landed marines and put the insurgents to flight. Soon after quiet had been restored negotiations were entered into which resulted in the partitioning of the islands and the surrendering by Germany and Great Britain of all rights to the island of Tutuila, containing the magnificent harbor of Pago Pago, and all other islands of the Samoan group east of long. 171° W. of Greenwich. The treaty was ratified in the Senate, Jan. 16, 1900, and formal possession of the islands was taken by the President on March 16.

SeeSAMOA ; TUTUILA. Cibitu and Cagayan The Peace Commissioners in Paris (1899) who negotiated the transfer of the Philippine Islands from Spain to the United States drew a geographical boundary-line fixed by meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude. The lines described a parallelogram with the exception that there was an inset in the southwestern corner to exclude some islands off the coast of Borneo. A year after the signing of the treaty of Paris (1899), the fact was discovered that in laying down these boundaries the commissioners had excluded the islands of Cibitu and Cagayan of the Philippine group. After negotiations lasting for several months, in which Spain refused to recede from her position of ownership, the United States, in July. 1900, in order to remove cause of possible irritation as well as to protect herself from their future purchase by other European powers, bought the islands from Spain for $100,000. The islands are small and thinly populated, but are valuable for their pearl and shell fisheries. Ratifications of the treaty of cession were exchanged in Washington on March 23, 1901.

Check out the web adress above ^^^ and see how it takes you step by step to learn and grasp more information about WestWard Expansion. The period of Westward Expansion began in 1804 with the Lewis and Clark Expedition but it was not until after the Civil War that many passed through the dry Great Plains. One of the main causes was Manifest Destiny, a belief that civilization should spread from sea to shining sea. In 1859, gold and silver was discovered in western Nevada, which is known as the Comstock Lode, drawing people from all over the country. The cattle kingdom was also an effect as an increase of population causing the demand for beef in the East. But, the major result of Westward Expansion was THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. This changed the lives of many Americans since it created efficient and quicker means of transportation omitting the use of forever journeys with wagons and even buffaloes! 5 March: This Date in History 1774 John Hancock's Boston Massacre Oration . ^ 1766 Ulloa takes possession of Louisiana Territory from French.

A brilliant Spanish scientist and explorer, Antonio de Ulloa's political talents prove far less impressive when he tries to take control of the formerly French territory of Louisiana. Ulloa faced a difficult situation in Louisiana. Encompassing most of the western half of the Mississippi Valley as far north as the present-day state of Montana, Louisiana Territory was originally claimed and settled by the French. In 1763, the French transferred the territory to Spain under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, as a reward for having been an ally in the French war with England. The French colonists of Louisiana, however, had not agreed to the treaty. Many were determined to frustrate any attempt by the Spanish to assert control over their home. This impulse to resist only strengthened when the Spanish failed to immediately dispatch a new governor for the territory, leaving the administration in the hands of the acting French Governor Philippe Aubry. After a three-year lag, the Spanish crown finally sent one of its most distinguished scientists and explorers, Antonio de Ulloa, to govern the territory. Arriving in New Orleans on this day in 1766, Ulloa faced widespread antagonism to his rule.

Before coming to Louisiana, Ulloa had led a brilliantly successfully exploration of Peru, which he publicized in the widely read book A Voyage to South America. Ulloa had also gained fame among European scientists by founding an astronomical observatory and a mineralogical laboratory. However, Ulloa's scientific accomplishments did not impress the French inhabitants of Louisiana. For all his scientific brilliance, Ulloa proved a timid and ineffective governor. When the French troops of Louisiana refused to recognize his authority, Ulloa did not even attempt to stage a public ceremony marking the formal transfer of power to the Spanish crown. Instead, he decided to execute his orders through Aubry, the acting French governor, preserving the appearance of continued French rule. Possessed of a personality that dangerously combined shyness with arrogance, Ulloa was completely unsuited for the delicate diplomatic task of bringing the people of Louisiana under Spanish control. Ulloa's attempts to force the French colonists to use the handful of Spanish-dominated ports in the territory further alienated his subjects, as did his refusal to honor old French promissory notes held by many of the colonists.

In 1768, the French political leaders revolted, forcing Ulloa to flee to Havana, Cuba. Although subsequent Spanish officials were better able to control the French residents, Spanish control over Louisiana continued to remain tenuous. In 1800, Spain finally abandoned its claim to the territory and handed it back to the French. Three years later, Napoleon Bonaparte sold it to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. Unlike their Spanish predecessors, the Americans eventually succeeded in winning the loyalty of the Louisianians. 1669 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 36th birthday, kisses a Queen. [from his Diary ] 1669 February 23rd. Up: and to the Office, where all the morning, and then home, and put a mouthfull of victuals in my mouth; and by a hackney-coach followed my wife and the girls, who are gone by eleven o'clock, thinking to have seen a new play at the Duke of York's house.

But I do find them staying at my tailor's, the play not being to-day, and therefore I now took them to Westminster Abbey, and there did show them all the tombs very finely, having one with us alone, there being other company this day to see the tombs, it being Shrove Tuesday; and here we did see, by particular favour, the body of Queen Katherine of Valois; and I had the upper part of her body in my hands, and I did kiss her mouth, reflecting upon it that I did kiss a Queen, and that this was my birth-day, thirty-six years old, that I did first kiss a Queen. But here this man, who seems to understand well, tells me that the saying is not true that says she was never buried, for she was buried; only, when Henry the Seventh built his chapel, it was taken up and laid in this wooden coffin; but I did there see that, in it, the body was buried in a leaden one, which remains under the body to this day.

Thence to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there, finding the play begun, we homeward to the Glass-House, and there shewed my cozens the making of glass, and had several things made with great content; and, among others, I had one or two singing- glasses made, which make an echo to the voice, the first that ever I saw; but so thin, that the very breath broke one or two of them. So home, and thence to Mr. Batelier's, where we supped, and had a good supper, and here was Mr. Gumbleton; and after supper some fiddles, and so to dance; but my eyes were so out of order, that I had little pleasure this night at all, though I was glad to see the rest merry, and so about midnight home and to bed. ^ 1668 (23 February Julian) Pepys does not note his 35th birthday. [from his Diary ] 1668 February 23rd (Lord's day). Up, and, being desired by a messenger from Sir G.

Carteret, I by water over to Southwarke, and so walked to the Falkon, on the Bank-side, and there got another boat, and so to Westminster, where I would have gone into the Swan; but the door was locked; and the girl could not let me in, and so to Wilkinson's in King Street, and there wiped my shoes, and so to Court, where sermon not yet done I met with Brisband; and he tells me, first, that our business of tickets did come to debate yesterday, it seems, after I was gone away, and was voted a miscarriage in general.

He tells me in general that there is great looking after places, upon a presumption of a great many vacancies; and he did shew me a fellow at Court, a brother of my Lord Fanshaw's, a witty but rascally fellow, without a penny in his purse, that was asking him what places there were in the Navy fit for him, and Brisband tells me, in mirth, he told him the Clerke of the Acts, and I wish he had it, so I were well and quietly rid of it; for I am weary of this kind of trouble, having, I think, enough whereon to support myself. By and by, chapel done, I met with Sir W. Coventry, and he and I walked awhile together in the Matted Gallery; and there he told me all the proceedings yesterday: that the matter is found, in general, a miscarriage, but no persons named; and so there is no great matter to our prejudice yet, till, if ever, they come to particular persons.

He told me Birch was very industrious to do what he could, and did, like a friend; but they were resolved to find the thing, in general, a miscarriage; and says, that when we shall think fit to desire its being heard, as to our own defence, it will be granted. He tells me how he hath, with advantage, cleared himself in what concerns himself therein, by his servant Robson, which I am glad of. He tells me that there is a letter sent by conspiracy to some of the House, which he hath seen, about the matter of selling of places, which he do believe he shall be called upon to-morrow for: and thinks himself well prepared to defend himself in it; and then neither he, nor his friends for him, are afeard of anything to his prejudice. Thence by coach, with Brisband, to Sir G. Carteret's, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and there dined: a good dinner and good company; and after dinner he and I alone, discoursing of my Lord Sandwich's matters; who hath, in the first business before the House, been very kindly used beyond expectation, the matter being laid by, till his coming home and old Mr.

Vaughan did speak for my Lord, which I am mighty glad of. The business of the prizes is the worst that can be said, and therein I do fear something may lie hard upon him; but, against this, we must prepare the best we can for his defence. Thence with G. Carteret to White Hall, where I, finding a meeting of the Committee of the Council for the Navy, his Royal Highness there, and Sir W. Pen, and, some of the Brethren of the Trinity House to attend, I did go in with them; and it was to be informed of the practice heretofore, for all foreign nations, at enmity one with another, to forbear any acts of hostility to one another, in the presence of any of the King of England's ships, of which several instances were given: and it is referred to their further enquiry, in order to the giving instructions accordingly to our ships now, during the war between Spain and France. Would to God we were in the same condition as heretofore, to challenge and maintain this our dominion! Thence with W.

Pen homeward, and quite through to Mile End, for a little ayre; the days being now pretty long, but the ways mighty dirty, and here we drank at the Rose, the old house, and so back again, talking of the Parliament and our trouble with them and what passed yesterday. Going back again, Sir R. Brookes overtook us coming to town; who hath played the jacke with us all, and is a fellow that I must trust no more, he quoting me for all he hath said in this business of tickets; though I have told him nothing that either is not true, or I afeard to own. But here talking, he did discourse in this stile: "We,"--and "We" all along,--" will not give any money, be the pretence never so great, nay, though the enemy was in the River of Thames again, till we know what is become of the last money given;" and I do believe he do speak the mind of his fellows, and so let them, if the King will suffer it.

He gone, we home, and there I to read, and my belly being full of my dinner to-day, I anon to bed, and there, as I have for many days, slept not an hour quietly, but full of dreams of our defence to the Parliament and giving an account of our doings. This evening, my wife did with great pleasure shew me her stock of jewells, encreased by the ring she hath made lately as my Valentine's gift this year, a Turky stone' set with diamonds: and, with this and what she had, she reckons that she hath above £150 worth of jewells, of one kind or other; and I am glad of it, for it is fit the wretch should have something to content herself with. 1667 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 34th birthday, works at the office till midnight. [from his Diary ] 1667 February 23rd. This day I am, by the blessing of God, 34 years old, in very good health and mind's content, and in condition of estate much beyond whatever my friends could expect of a child of theirs, this day 34 years.

The Lord's name be praised! and may I be ever thankful for it. Up betimes to the office, in order to my letter to the Duke of York to-morrow, and then the office met and spent the greatest part about this letter. At noon home to dinner, and then to the office again very close at it all the day till midnight, making an end and writing fair this great letter and other things to my full content, it abundantly providing for the vindication of this office, whatever the success be of our wants of money. This evening Sir W. Batten come to me to the office on purpose, out of spleen (of which he is full to Carcasse !), to tell me that he is now informed of many double tickets now found of Carcasses making which quite overthrows him. It is strange to see how, though I do believe this fellow to be a rogue, and could be contented to have him removed, yet to see him persecuted by Sir W. Batten, who is as bad himself, and that with so much rancour, I am almost the fellow's friend. But this good I shall have from it, that the differences between Sir W.

Batten and my Lord Bruncker will do me no hurt. ^ 1666 (23 February Julian) Pepys spends most of his 33rd birthday at the office. [from his Diary ] 1666 February 23rd. Up betimes, and out of doors by 6 of the clock, and walked (W. Howe with me) to my Lord Sandwich's, who did lie the last night at his house in Lincoln's Inne Fields. It being fine walking in the morning, and the streets full of people again. There I staid, and the house full of people come to take leave of my Lord, who this day goes out of towne upon his embassy towards Spayne. And I was glad to find Sir W. Coventry to come, though I know it is only a piece of courtshipp.

I had much discourse with my Lord, he telling me how fully he leaves the King his friend and the large discourse he had with him the other day, and how he desired to have the business of the prizes examined before he went, and that he yielded to it, and it is done as far as it concerns himself to the full, and the Lords Commissioners for prizes did reprehend all the informers in what related to his Lordship, which I am glad of in many respects. But we could not make an end of discourse, so I promised to waite upon [him] on Sunday at Cranborne, and took leave and away hence to Mr. Hales's with Mr. Hill and two of the Houblons, who come thither to speak with me, and saw my wife's picture, which pleases me well, but Mr. Hill's picture never a whit so well as it did before it was finished, which troubled me, and I begin to doubt the picture of my Lady Peters my wife takes her posture from, and which is an excellent picture, is not of his making, it is so master-like.

I set them down at the 'Change and I home to the office, and at noon dined at home and to the office again. Anon comes Mrs. Knipp to see my wife, who is gone out, so I fain to entertain her, and took her out by coach to look my wife at Mrs. Pierce's and Unthanke's, but find her not. So back again, and then my wife comes home, having been buying of things, and at home I spent all the night talking with this baggage, and teaching her my song of "Beauty retire," which she sings and makes go most rarely, and a very fine song it seems to be. She also entertained me with repeating many of her own and others' parts of the play-house, which she do most excellently; and tells me the whole practices of the play-house and players, and is in every respect most excellent company. So I supped, and was merry at home all the evening, and the rather it being my birthday, 33 years, for which God be praised that I am in so good a condition of healthe and estate, and every thing else as I am, beyond expectation, in all. So she to Mrs.

Turner's to lie, and we to bed. Mightily pleased to find myself in condition to have these people come about me and to be able to entertain them, and have the pleasure of their qualities, than which no man can have more in the world. ^ 1665 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 32nd birthday, learns of a terrible English defeat. ^top^ [from his Diary ] 1665 February 23rd. This day, by the blessing of Almighty God, I have lived thirty-two years in the world, and am in the best degree of health at this minute that I have been almost in my life time, and at this time in the best condition of estate that ever I was in-the Lord make me thankfull. Up, and to the office, where busy all the morning.

At noon to the 'Change, where I hear the most horrid and astonishing newes that ever was yet told in my memory, that De Ruyter with his fleete in Guinny hath proceeded to the taking of whatever we have, forts, goods, ships, and men, and tied our men back to back, and thrown them all into the sea, even women and children also. This a Swede or Hamburgher is come into the River and tells that he saw the thing done. But, Lord! to see the consternation all our merchants are in is observable, and with what fury and revenge they discourse of it. But I fear it will like other things in a few days cool among us. But that which I fear most is the reason why he that was so kind to our men at first should afterward, having let them go, be so cruel when he went further. What I fear is that there he was informed (which he was not before) of some of Holmes's dealings with his countrymen, and so was moved to this fury. God grant it be not so!

But a more dishonourable thing was never suffered by Englishmen, nor a more barbarous done by man, as this by them to us. Home to dinner, and then to the office, where we sat all the afternoon, and then at night to take my finall leave of Mrs. Bland, who sets out to-morrow for Tangier, and then I back to my office till past 12, and so home to supper and to bed. — Note: England would declare war on Holland only later in 1665, though the two nations fleet had been fighting a series of bitter battles since 1664, in their competition for trade in the East and West Indies, the Mediterranean, the African coasts, and the eastern seaboard of North America. (On 27 August 1664, the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam surrendered to the English, who renamed it New York). Admiral Michiel Adriaanzoon de Ruyter (24 March 1607 – 29 April 1679) is regarded as one of the greatest seamen of his age.

His brilliant naval victories in the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars enabled the United Provinces to maintain a balance of power with England. He first went to sea at age 9, and by 1635 he was a merchant captain. After a distinguished career in both merchant and naval service he was promoted to lieutenant admiral two years before the battle of the Medway. In the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667) his greatest victories were the Four Days Battle (07 Jun – 10 Jun 1666) and the Medway Raid (14 June 1667) which accelerated the negotiations that led to the Peace of Breda (31 July 1667).. Even greater overall were his achievements in the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672-1674). By his victories over Anglo-French fleets off Solebay (1672), Ostend (1673), and Kijkduin (1673), he prevented an invasion of the Dutch Republic. After having been mortally wounded off Sicily, during hostilities against the French in the Mediterranean, he died in Syracuse.

[ photo of de Ruyter's head sculpted by Verhulst ] [ De Zeven Provinciën , his flagship for the last half of the Second and for the entire Third Anglo-Dutch Wars, painted by James C. Bender, after Willem Van de Velde Sr.(next)].[engraving after Willem vd. Velde: Krijgsraad voor den 4daagschen zeeslag aan boord y/h Admiraalschip van M.A.de Ruyter “de Zeven Provinciën” 10 Juni 1666 ] 1664 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 31st birthday, congratulates himself. [from his Diary ] 1669 February 23rd. Up, it being Shrove Tuesday, and at the office sat all the morning, at noon to the 'Change and there met with Sir W. Rider, and of a sudden knowing what I had at home, brought him and Mr. Cutler and Mr. Cooke, clerk to Mr.

Secretary Morrice, a sober and pleasant man, and one that I knew heretofore, when he was my Lord 's secretary at Dunkirke. I made much of them and had a pretty dinner for a sudden. We talked very pleasantly, and they many good discourses of their travels abroad. After dinner they gone, I to my office, where doing many businesses very late, but to my good content to see how I grow in estimation every day more and more, and have things given more oftener than I used to have formerly, as to have a case of very pretty knives with agate shafts by Mrs. Russell. So home and to bed. This day, by the blessing of God, I have lived thirty-one years in the world; and, by the grace of God, I find myself not only in good health in every thing, and particularly as to the stone, but only pain upon taking cold, and also in a fair way of coming to a better esteem and estate in the world, than ever I expected. But I pray God give me a heart to fear a fall, and to prepare for it!

^ 1663 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 30th birthday, fears arrest. [from his Diary ] 1663 February 23rd. Up by times; and not daring to go by land, did (Griffin going along with me for fear), slip to White Hall by water; where to Mr. Coventry, and, as we used to do, to the Duke; the other of my fellows being come. But we said nothing of our business, the Duke being sent for to the King, that he could not stay to speak with us. This morning came my Lord Windsor to kiss the Duke's hand, being returned from Jamaica. He tells the Duke, that from such a degree of latitude going thither he begun to be sick, and was never well till his coming so far back again, and then presently begun to be well. He told the Duke of their taking the fort of St. Jago, upon Cuba, by his men; but, upon the whole, I believe that he did matters like a young lord, and was weary of being upon service out of his own country, where he might have pleasure.

For methought it was a shame to see him this very afternoon, being the first day of his coming to town, to be at a playhouse. Thence to my Lord Sandwich, who though he has been abroad again two or three days is falling ill again, and is let blood this morning, though I hope it is only a great cold that he has got. It was a great trouble to me (and I had great apprehensions of it) that my Lord desired me to go to Westminster Hall, to the Parliament- house door, about business; and to Sir Wm.

Wheeler, which I told him I would do, but durst not go for fear of being taken by these rogues; but was forced to go to White Hall and take boat, and so land below the Tower at the Iron-gate; and so the back way over Little Tower Hill; and with my cloak over my face, took one of the watermen along with me, and staid behind a wall in the New-buildings behind our garden, while he went to see whether any body stood within the Merchants' Gate, under which we pass to go into our garden, and there standing but a little dirty boy before the gate, did make me quake and sweat to think he might be a Trepan. But there was nobody, and so I got safe into the garden, and coming to open my office door, something behind it fell in the opening, which made me start. So that God knows in what a sad condition I should be in if I were truly in the condition that many a poor man is for debt: and therefore ought to bless God that I have no such reall reason, and to endeavour to keep myself, by my good deportment and good husbandry, out of any such condition. At home I found Mr.

Creed with my wife, and so he dined with us, I finding by a note that Mr. Clerke in my absence hath left here, that I am free; and that he hath stopped all matters in Court; I was very glad of it, and immediately had a light thought of taking pleasure to rejoice my heart, and so resolved to take my wife to a play at Court to-night, and the rather because it is my birthday, being this day thirty years old, for which let me praise God. While my wife dressed herself, Creed and I walked out to see what play was acted to-day, and we find it "The Slighted Mayde." But, Lord! to see that though I did know myself to be out of danger, yet I durst not go through the street, but round by the garden into Tower Street. By and by took coach, and to the Duke's house, where we saw it well acted, though the play hath little good in it, being most pleased to see the little girl dance in boy's apparel, she having very fine legs, only bends in the hams, as I perceive all women do.

The play being done, we took coach and to Court, and there got good places, and saw "The Wilde Gallant," (*2) performed by the King's house, but it was ill acted, and the play so poor a thing as I never saw in my life almost, and so little answering the name, that from beginning to end, I could not, nor can at this time, tell certainly which was the Wild Gallant. The King did not seem pleased at all, all the whole play, nor any body else, though Mr. Clerke whom we met here did commend it to us. My Lady Castlemaine was all worth seeing tonight, and little Steward.--[Mrs. Stuart]-- Mrs. Wells do appear at Court again, and looks well; so that, it may be, the late report of laying the dropped child to her was not true. It being done, we got a coach and got well home about 12 at night.

Now as my mind was but very ill satisfied with these two plays themselves, so was I in the midst of them sad to think of the spending so much money and venturing upon the breach of my vow, which I found myself sorry for, I bless God, though my nature would well be contented to follow the pleasure still. But I did make payment of my forfeiture presently, though I hope to save it back again by forbearing two plays at Court for this one at the Theatre, or else to forbear that to the Theatre which I am to have at Easter. But it being my birthday and my day of liberty regained to me, and lastly, the last play that is likely to be acted at Court before Easter, because of the Lent coming in, I was the easier content to fling away so much money. So to bed. This day I was told that my Lady Castlemaine hath all the King's Christmas presents, made him by the peers, given to her, which is a most abominable thing; and that at the great ball she was much richer in jewells than the Queen and Duchess put both together. — * Note 1: fairly good comedy by Robert Stapylton, first acted in 1663.

— * Note 2: deservedly unsuccessful 1662 prose comedy by John Dryden, possibly its first showing (which was in 1663). 1662 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 29th birthday, stays home with a cold. [from his Diary ] 1662 February 23rd. (Lord's day). My cold being increased, I staid at home all day, pleasing myself with my dining-room, now graced with pictures, and reading of Dr. Fuller's "Worthys." So I spent the day, and at night comes Sir W. Pen and supped and talked with me. This day by God's mercy I am 29 years of age, and in very good health, and like to live and get an estate; and if I have a heart to be contented, I think I may reckon myself as happy a man as any is in the world, for which God be praised. So to prayers and to bed.. ^ 1661 (23 February Julian) Pepys, on 28th birthday, hears gossip. [from his Diary ] 1661 February 23rd.

This my birthday, 28 years. This morning Sir W. Batten, Pen, and I did some business, and then I by water to Whitehall, having met Mr. Hartlibb by the way at Alderman Backwell's. So he did give me a glass of Rhenish wine at the Steeleyard, and so to Whitehall by water. He continues of the same bold impertinent humour that he was always of and will ever be. He told me how my Lord Chancellor had lately got the Duke of York and Duchess, and her woman, my Lord Ossory's and a Doctor, to make oath before most of the judges of the kingdom, concerning all the circumstances of their marriage. And in fine, it is confessed that they were not fully married till about a month or two before she was brought to bed; but that they were contracted long before, and time enough for the child to be legitimate (*1). But I do not hear that it was put to the judges to determine whether it was so or no.

To my Lord and there spoke to him about his opinion of the Light, the sea-mark that Captain Murford is about, and do offer me an eighth part to concern myself with it, and my Lord do give me some encouragement in it, and I shall go on. I dined herewith Mr. Shepley and Howe. After dinner to Whitehall Chappell with Mr. Child, and there did hear Captain Cooke and his boy make a trial of an Anthem against tomorrow, which was brave musique. Then by water to Whitefriars to the Play-house, and there saw “ The Changeling ,” (*2) the first time it hath been acted these twenty years, and it takes exceedingly. Besides, I see the gallants do begin to be tyred with the vanity and pride of the theatre actors who are indeed grown very proud and rich. Then by link home, and there to my book awhile and to bed. I met to-day with Mr. Townsend, who tells me that the old man is yet alive in whose place in the Wardrobe he hopes to get my father, which I do resolve to put for.

I also met with the Comptroller, who told me how it was easy for us all, the principal officers, and proper for us, to labour to get into the next Parliament; and would have me to ask the Duke's letter, but I shall not endeavour it because it will spend much money, though I am sure I could well obtain it. This is now 28 years that I am born. And blessed be God, in a state of full content, and great hopes to be a happy man in all respects, both to myself and friends. — * Note 1: The Duke of York's marriage took place on 03 September 1660. Anne Hyde was contracted to the Duke at Breda on 24 November 1659. (Julian dates). — * Note 2: 1622 tragedy by Thomas Middleton [April 1570 – 04 July 1627] with William Rowley [1585-1642] who wrote the subplot and helped with the plan of the whole. ^ 1660 (23 February Julian) Pepys's 27th birthday, no celebration.

[from his Diary ] 1660 February 23rd. Thursday, my birthday, now twenty-seven years. A pretty fair morning, I rose and after writing a while in my study I went forth. To my office, where I told Mr. Hawly of my thoughts to go out of town to-morrow. Hither Mr. Fuller comes to me and my Uncle Thomas too, thence I took them to drink, and so put off my uncle. So with Mr. Fuller home to my house, where he dined with me, and he told my wife and me a great many stories of his adversities, since these troubles, in being forced to travel in the Catholic countries, &c. He shewed me his bills, but I had not money to pay him. We parted, and I to Whitehall, where I was to see my horse which Mr. Garthwayt lends me to-morrow. So home, where Mr. Pierce comes to me about appointing time and place where and when to meet tomorrow. So to Westminster Hall, where, after the House rose, I met with Mr.

Crew, who told me that my Lord was chosen by 73 voices, to be one of the Council of State. Mr. Pierpoint had the most, 101, and himself the next, too. He brought me in the coach home. He and Mr. Anslow being in it. I back to the Hall, and at Mrs. Michell's shop staid talking a great while with her and my Chaplain, Mr. Mumford, and drank a pot or two of ale on a wager that Mr. Prin is not of the Council. Home and wrote to my Lord the news of the choice of the Council by the post, and so to bed. ^ 1621 First alcohol temperance law in British America In a proclamation signed by Governor Sir Francis Wyatt and thirty-two members of the Virginia colonial legislature, Virginia prohibits public intoxication under penalty of fine. Virginia, the first American colony to pass a temperance law, is later joined by other colonies in taking measures to prohibit the use of alcohol. The movement for prohibition gained ground in the early nineteenth century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies.

By the late nineteenth century, several states and dozens of cities had enacted prohibition laws, and temperance groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for total national abstinence. On 18 December 1917, the Eighteenth Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and took effect on 16 January 1919, following state ratification. During the 1920s, despite an often-vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the federal government failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages, and organized crime flourished in America. In 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition. 1616 Nicolaus Copernicus' De Revolutionibus placed on Catholic Index of Forbidden Books. Nikolaj Kopernick was born in 1473 in Torï¿½n, Poland.

He became a mathematician and astronomer who authored the Copernican theory: the sun is the center of our universe -- Le moine astronome Nicolas Copernic , né ï¿½ Thorn (Pologne), aprï¿½s avoir ï¿½tudiï¿½ ï¿½ Cracovie (Pologne), puis ï¿½ Bologne et ï¿½ Padoue (Italie), rentre en Pologne et rï¿½dige en 1530 , son fameux "traitï¿½ sur les rï¿½volutions des orbes cï¿½lestes". 1329 Juana II y su marido Felipe de Evreux son coronados reyes de Navarra. 1179 The Third Lateran Council (11th ecumenical council) opens in Rome under Alexander III. It is attended by 302 bishops who enact measures against the Waldenses and Albigensians. Lateran III also mandates that popes are to be elected by two-thirds vote from the assembled cardinals.

Question: March 10, 1804 saw the US officially take possession of what property, which they purchased from France for a mere $15,000,000?
Answer: Louisiana Purchase